Company owned by Putin associate moves into Yalta seaport

A company owned by Russian billionaire Arkady Rotenberg has begun implementing a large-scale project in the seaport of Yalta that local residents have repeatedly opposed.

Source: National Resistance Center of Ukraine

Quote: "A construction fence has recently appeared around the seaport of Yalta, indicating the start of a long-planned large-scale project. This stands behind a long-time associate of Vladimir Putin – billionaire Arkady Rotenberg."

Details: The Russian authorities plan to build a zone with casinos, hotels, spa complexes and entertainment infrastructure on the site of the passenger terminal. Local residents, however, have been demanding the restoration of normal operation of the maritime terminal and passenger transport services.

The idea of establishing a gambling zone in Crimea dates back to 2019, when it was initially planned in the settlement of Katsiveli. The main investor was the Infrastructure Projects Management Company, linked to Rotenberg's circle through previous projects, the National Resistance Center said.

In July 2024, Russia's State Duma and the Federation Council adopted a law allowing the zone to be relocated directly to the seaport of Yalta. Soon afterwards, the facility was put up for sale by the Russian authorities and purchased by the Moscow-based company Chernomorskoye Razvitiye (Black Sea Development).

"This story continues the pattern of redistribution of strategic assets in occupied territory in favour of structures close to Kremlin elites," the National Resistance Center stated.

Background: Earlier, Rotenberg purchased "Putin's Palace" near Gelendzhik in Krasnodar Krai for RUB 800,000 (US$10,380) two months after stating that he had acquired it.

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